The role of the court in ethical decision making
Sally Smith
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmedicine.1-5-371
Clin Med September 2001 Sally Smith QC
1, Crown Office Row, Temple
Abstract
The medical profession generally is uncertain both as to the circumstances in which the guidance of the courts can be sought in relation to ethical decisions regarding individual patients and the way to go about requesting such guidance. The machinery is under used although the courts encourage its use in all ‘boundary line’ decisions: these are decisions involving competence in its widest sense, including uncertainties as to whether the patient is competent or not and rulings or declarations in respect of those patients who are either temporarily or permanently incompetent by virtue of age, psychological disorder or circumstance.
- © 2001 Royal College of Physicians
Article Tools
The role of the court in ethical decision making
Sally Smith
Clinical Medicine Sep 2001, 1 (5) 371-373; DOI: 10.7861/clinmedicine.1-5-371
Citation Manager Formats
Jump to section
Related Articles
- No related articles found.
Cited By...
- No citing articles found.